Often we talk about choice as if it is something that is a right, something we believe in, or something we want to have. It rather implies that we have already decided about what. “It is my choice to die with dignity, at a time of my choosing.”

These things are easy to say, but I wonder, are they sometimes a bit like believing in world peace. You can “choose” to go on a world cruise but, if your ticket is just to cross the river, then your “choice” not only doesn’t mean much, it isn’t a choice at all.

Choosing is about choosing from available options. In most situations, we can increase the range of those options through effort. Our choices, of course, relate to the life in question, our own: not some abstract world where if, like a child, we holler loud enough it will be done.

Many people put off expanding the range of options until it is too late to do very much at all. “I’m going to diet one day soon,” or “I really ought to join the gym and exercise,” or “I believe in death with dignity and one day I am probably going to find out how to do it.” Just like that.

In other words, we put off choosing anything because we think there will always be another day. Somehow our riverboat ticket can be upgraded to a cruise in the Mediterranean. We’ll undo years of strain on our heart by suddenly eating salads and buying a running machine. Or when death comes knocking well, I guess I could buy a book or jump on a flight to Switzerland. Then, when we realise that it doesn’t work like that, we realise that our choices are actually rather limited.

Our goal at Exit is not to get you to vote for a politician that supports our aims. It’s not to ask you for a subscription or to sell thousands of books. Our aim, quite simply, is to take away the fear of death. We want to do that by inspiring you to think about it. Gently, sensibly, but to face life (death included!!) in real terms, not as a “one day I will…” .

It is not the duty of this blog even to tell you whether you should support dignity in dying or whether you are part of a minority with the opposite belief. But you’ve read this far: stop for a minute! Try these questions*:

What is your understanding of your current health or condition?

If your current condition worsens, what are your goals?

What are your fears?

Are there any trade-offs that you are willing to make? Or not?

What would a good day be like?

By thinking deeply about these questions you can begin to approach real choices by addressing your real situation. Whether you are for or against euthanasia, think for a moment if you will about your health, what your death might be like, what you would like it to be like, what you would, or might, need to do in order to have the sort of choices you desire. If you wish, there is a video to help you here.

The original author of those questions, Dr Atul Gawande, rather sits on the fence on the question of euthanasia; but the questions are equally valid whatever your answers might be. You can consider what life might be like in the period before the inevitable. Learn about it if need be (if you need information, there’s an excellent book on the most common ways that death occurs by Dr Sherwin Nuland called How We Die: Reflections of Life’s Final Chapter). If you are opposed to euthanasia, you might wish to investigate the realities of palliative care realistically, to understand best and worst case scenarios. If assisted suicide in Switzerland comes to your mind, it could be worth checking the Dignitas website (or the relevant articles on this Blog) to see what is involved. If self-euthanasia is maybe a back-up plan at the back of your mind, then perhaps check out our publications page or go to Amazon to have a quick look inside some of our books. Or of course there is one other choice: do nothing.

You may or may not have the “right”: but do you choose to have choices?

A notice to our print subscribers (Members of Exit):
You may have wondered why you have not heard from us in the past couple of months. You may recall from the last Newsletter magazine that we were facing a very serious financial crisis. We had to take a hard look at our existence and prepare for some difficult choices. Fortunately we are still running (or ‘unfortunately’ for the abolitionists and those resorting to morally dubious tactics to shut us down). We have reorganised things and the future is looking secure even if (as has been the case for 35 years) we keep going by sheer good luck, grit and determination, and the knowledge that people rely on us worldwide in the work of leading research. Thank you for any help you can give.

*Taken from: Being Mortal: Medicine and What Matters in the End by Atul Gawande.
These types of questions also relate to work Exit did previously in the area of advance medical directives (living wills) by helping to persuade the government to include a section about values in the legislation.

5 Responses to The choice to face your choices

I fully support assisted dying and even assisted suicide when a person has been assessed by mental health professionals and discharged. I fully intend to kill myself before I enter a phase of life over which I have no control.

Knowing I have the knowledge and means to end my life at a time when I am ill and likely to lose control of any further treatment such s slow end of life morphin induced coma has given me a profound sense of releafe and freedom.

To the courageous individuals who are involved in positive self-deliverance. Mere words cannot
express my gratitude to you for the work you have done in informing the masses of their right to leave this world with as much ease and self respect as is possible. How can there be a greater love than this?

You have made available, vital information for others, regardless of who they are; to accomplish their Majestic Last Performance, with several options from which to chose. With that knowledge and preplanning, individuals gain the confidence necessary to do what is in their own best interest.

Exit euthanasia blog analyses end of life issues, euthanasia, self-deliverance and assisted suicide. .........................................................
Exit does not give you a "quick answer": it gives you a responsible one, based on multidisciplinary study and embodying the latest research from around the world since 1980.
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Please note the blog does *not* include detailed "how-to" information on methods of self-euthanasia or rational suicide. (see "About Exit" on the main menu.) But we publish the most extensive, scientifically supported and detailed information from any source you are likely to find.

If you have enjoyed reading this blog or found it helpful in any way, consider supporting us if you can please, with a small donation. There is no obligation, ever. You are free to enjoy the blog and receive all our email alerts if you wish, free.

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photo credit: NMIH

THE SAMARITANS. If you are suicidally depressed, we urge you to visit The Samaritans for confidential, emotional, non-judgmental support. (Please click on the photo.)

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“Five Last Acts, at over 400 pages, marks what may be the most comprehensive guide to self-deliverance techniques available.”

Use of helium, drugs, compression, plastic bags, starvation and other means, as well as other key resources including authoritative information on the legal position. It's comprehensive analysis and step-by-step explanation of methods of self-deliverance is far-reaching and probably unrivalled, both for the individual seeking peace of mind and for other researchers in the area.

Main link (Amazon U.S.):
http://www.amazon.com/dp/1453869379/

Also available from Amazon uk:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1453869379/

The complete reference, over 800 pages, The Exit Path, is also available. Please click the image below to order, or see the Publications page at the top menu.

For even more: Five Last Acts – The Exit Path (2015 edition)

● Five Last Acts: The Exit Path 2015. ● 822 pages. ● The world's first and most authoritative book to include self-euthanasia with nitrogen ● over 100 illustrations and ‘how-to‘ diagrams. ● Over 1000 references. ● tables & charts ● Tips and checklists ● scientific evidence. "This is quite a tome! But for a very detailed and clear examination of all the background to the technical intricacies of the movement for the right to choose to die it is in a class on its own. This book is for the science-minded DIY person. A most unusual book." – Derek Humphry

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The first purpose of this blog is to update our members and supporters. We'll also post some news stories of interest. Anyone can join, read the posts, and send comments or questions on specific stories.

The most extensive volume on self-deliverance ever published, Five Last Acts: The Exit Path covers every method in encyclopedic detail, answering questions on different approaches for researchers and lay-persons alike. The Exit Path contains all the material from Five Last Acts II plus new and exclusive material.

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Who are EXIT?

Exit was formed in 1980 with the specific purpose of researching and making available reliable information on how to end one's life if faced with unbearable and unrelievable suffering. There are many excellent groups that use the name Exit worldwide - and although imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, we would point out that they are not connected to us. We believe the best information you can obtain on self-deliverance is from our books, newsletters and workshops - you will not find those produced by other groups to be the same.
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When it all comes to an end

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Whether a person is interested in the reassurances that Exit's literature can offer or not, each of us has to face the moment of death one day. "When it all comes to an end" examines what we can do to face the last moments with equanimity, whatever our situation. It is for your personal use and may not be published elsewhere or modified without permission.

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